The Hebrew noun meyshar (from yashar, H3474, to be straight/right) denotes uprightness, equity, and what is level or straight. It is used to describe righteous governance, ethical conduct, and God's own character. The plural form meyarim is used in descriptions of praise (Song of Songs 1:4; 7:9).
Meyshar captures the Hebrew vision of righteousness as straightness — living in conformity with God's straight path rather than the crooked ways of human autonomy. Psalm 45:6 describes the Messiah's scepter as one of meyshar — his rule is perfectly equitable. Proverbs frequently contrasts the crooked way of the wicked with the straight path of the righteous. Isaiah promises that God will make the rough places meyshar — level and straight — before His coming (Isaiah 40:4). Ethical uprightness is not human achievement but alignment with the straight God.